Part 3: Meeting the Facility Tour Challenge Preparing for the Life Safety Specialist Facility Tour and Documentation Review Healthcare Engineering Consultants

The Life Safety Specialist (LSS)  It is likely that the LSS will arrive with the team on the first day, less likely on the second day  If the hospital BBI indicates more than 750,000 square feet of occupied space, the LSS will be scheduled for 2 days  The LSS will spend 1 to 2 hours on dedicated documentation review and the rest of the time on the facility tour  The other survey team members will also observe life safety issues, but not as detailed as the LSS – it is not likely that the nurse and physician will request a ladder and flashlight!  If the LSS observes deficiencies outside of their defined responsibility (example: smoking in unauthorized areas), it will be reported to the other team members Healthcare Engineering Consultants

The LSS Documentation Review Healthcare Engineering Consultants Life Safety Specialist (LSS) surveyor documentation responsibilities include: EC.5.20: SOC and Life Safety Code EC.5.40: Fire system tests, building features EC.5.50: Interim life safety measures EC.7.40: Emergency power systems EC.7.50: Medical gas and vacuum systems

The LSS Documentation Review Healthcare Engineering Consultants EC.5.20: SOC and Life Safety Code  The SOC completion will be verified through the Joint Commission Connect site (BBI’s and PFI’s)  Have the SOC notebook available for review  The PFI document from the previous survey will be reviewed to verify completion of deficiencies  The compartmentation drawings will be reviewed to assist in planning the facility tour  Life Safety Code compliance will be verified during the facility tour

The LSS Documentation Review Healthcare Engineering Consultants EC.5.40: Fire System Tests Points to Remember  Clearly define supervisory devices  Inventory all doors on magnetic releasing devices and document test results  Document tests results for all individual heat and smoke detectors, pull boxes and audible and visual devices  Document receipt of fire alarm signal to local fire department  Document static and residual pressure readings for main drain tests  Visually inspect inside and outside fire department connections  Indicate the day and month of portable fire extinguisher checks  Place inaccessible dampers on the PFI

The LSS Documentation Review Healthcare Engineering Consultants EC.5.50: Interim Life Safety Measures  Make sure that the interim life safety policy includes the following components: - A form to determine whether ILSM is necessary - An ILSM “applicability matrix” or applicability definitions - A checklist to verify that interim measures are in place  Determine ILSM applicability for construction projects or whenever life safety is compromised, including for PFI’s!  Remember, failure to implement or document interim life safety measures results in Conditional Accreditation!

Interim Life Safety Measures (ILSM) Healthcare Engineering Consultants Applicability Grid Example for Interim Life Safety Measures Compromise egressXXXXXX Breach compartmentation XXXXXXXXX Impair fire detection, alarm, suppression XXXXXXXX Hot workXX Large quantities of combustibles XXXXXXXX Interim Measure Deficiency Ensuring Egress Notify Fire Dept Operational LS Barriers Fire equipment Reduce combust. Prohibit smoking Fire drills Fire watch Staff trainingSurveillance Other

The LSS Documentation Review Healthcare Engineering Consultants EC.7.40: Emergency Generators  Perform and document weekly generator checks (NFPA 110)  Perform and document monthly generator tests within 20 and 40 days and with at least 30% of the rated load for 30 minutes  Document that all transfer switches are exercised monthly  Conduct annual load bank tests if the 30% load is not achieved and manifold temperatures are not sufficient  Test fuel oil quality annually, unless fuel is consumed  Document the static or dynamic 4-hour trienniel test for all generators Note: Refer to NFPA 99 and 110 for more information

The LSS Documentation Review Healthcare Engineering Consultants EC.7.40: Emergency Battery Lights  Required in all anesthetizing locations (NFPA 70: ) “administration of nonflammable inhalation anesthetic agents in the course of examination or treatment” Note: Grandfathering usually permitted  Required in “Level 1 or Level 2 EPS equipment locations” (NFPA 110: 7.3.1)  Required in occupancies where emergency power is not available (NFPA 101: )  Monthly push-to-test required for all battery installations  Differentiate between “task lighting” and “life safety” lighting  Annual battery replacement in lieu of 90-minute discharge test

The LSS Documentation Review Healthcare Engineering Consultants EC.7.40: Stored Emergency Power Supply Systems (SEPSS)  Standard applies to Level 1 systems (NFPA 111: 4.5.1) Level 1: “failure of the equipment to perform could result in loss of human life or serious injuries”  Testing requires: 1. Quarterly functional test (5 minutes or class specification) 2. Annual full-load test for 60% of SEPSS class duration Note: The Joint Commission references exit lighting, life support ventilation. fire detection and alarm systems, and public communications systems

The LSS Documentation Review Healthcare Engineering Consultants EC.7.50: Medical Gas and Vacuum Systems Medical gas and vacuum system preventive maintenance program is required (health facility must define PM) and must include: - Master signal panels and area alarms - Automatic pressure switches and shutoff valves - Flexible connectors and outlets Testing per NFPA 99 is required for new installation, modification or repair (cross-connections, purity, pressure) Main supply valves and area shut-off valves must be accessible and clearly labeled

The LSS Documentation Review Healthcare Engineering Consultants EC.7.50: Medical Gas and Vacuum Systems Certification of installers and verifiers per ASSE 6000 series is required Medical air quality must meet NFPA 99 requirements below: ParameterLimit Value Pressure dew point39 degrees F Carbon monoxide10 ppm Carbon dioxide500 ppm Gaseous hydrocarbons25 ppm (as methane) Halogenated hydrocarbons2 ppm

The LSS Documentation Review Healthcare Engineering Consultants Medical Gas and Vacuum System PM Recommendations Note: The recommendations provided in the chart to the right are from NFPA 99, the 2005 edition, Appendix C, section 5.2. Tests that are required due to new system installations, renovations or repair are listed in chapter 5 of NFPA 99

The LSS Facility Tour Checklist Checklist for the Hospital Building Tour Smoke and fire doors Check: Closure, label rating, gaps, undercuts, warpage Smoke and fire compartments Check: Penetrations, proper sealant Exit stairwells Check: Door rating, closure, signage, exit discharge Linen/ trash chutes and receiving rooms Check: Door rating, closure, fusible link, chute blockage Healthcare Engineering Consultants

The LSS Facility Tour Checklist Checklist for the Hospital Building Tour (cont’d) Hazardous areas Check: Storage of flammables, room rating Fire pump Check: Controls turned “on”, valves open, tampers OK Fire annunciator panel Check: System in bypass or trouble light on Soiled linen rooms Check: Proper storage, separated from “clean” Healthcare Engineering Consultants

The LSS Facility Tour Checklist Checklist for the Hospital Building Tour (cont’d) Medical waste storage Check: Locked area, secure, sharps not accessible Loading dock Check: Evidence of smoking, improper storage Kitchen area Check: Cleanliness, storage, CO2 tanks, refrigerator temps PFI verification Check: Previous PFI’s have been resolved as listed Healthcare Engineering Consultants

The LSS Facility Tour Checklist Checklist for the Hospital Building Tour (cont’d) ILSM verification Check: Construction areas for ILSM implementation Mechanical equipment rooms Check: Storage, unlabeled containers, cigarettes, labeling Emergency generators Check: In “auto” mode, batteries/ charger, fuel leaks Medical gas systems Check: Manifolds, compressed gases, medical air, vacuum Healthcare Engineering Consultants

“Operational” Deficiencies that are Likely to be Found During the Facility Tour Healthcare Engineering Consultants The LSS Facility Tour Checklist

Operational Deficiencies Healthcare Engineering Consultants What’s wrong with this seal?

Healthcare Engineering Consultants Operational Deficiencies

Healthcare Engineering Consultants Operational Deficiencies Does this look familiar?

Healthcare Engineering Consultants Operational Deficiencies What is the chair for?

Healthcare Engineering Consultants Corridor Interpretations Life Safety Code: Means of egress shall be continuously maintained free of all obstructions or impediments to full instant use in the case of fire or other emergency ( ) CMS and Joint Commission: An 8-foot clear corridor width must be maintained... CMS permits items to be in the corridor for temporary use of one half-hour or less... Both agencies agreed that computers on wheels (COW’s) may not be plugged in to recharge while in a corridor (Mills, Zimmerman) Joint Commission: Carts on wheels permitted in the corridor when in use; COW’s permitted when charting being performed; otherwise store in clean utility rooms or patient rooms (EC News, 2/07) Operational Deficiencies

Healthcare Engineering Consultants Operating Features A clear space >18 inches below sprinkler heads to the top of storage must be maintained Exception: Perimeter wall shelving, unless below sprinkler Portable space heating devices must be prohibited in patient treatment and sleeping rooms, although an exception is provide in non-patient, non-sleeping areas (19.7.8) Combustible decorations are prohibited, unless flame retardant ( ) Operational Deficiencies

Healthcare Engineering Consultants Operating Features Exceptions to “Corridor Clutter” permitted by JCAHO Furnishings, decorations or other objects may not obstruct access, egress or block the visibility of exits ( ) Exit doors must be free of mirrors, draperies or hangings that may conceal, obscure or confuse the direction of exit ( ) Operational Deficiencies

Part 3: Meeting the Facility Tour Challenge Questions? Healthcare Engineering Consultants